Empowering Leaders in Buckinghamshire’s Creative & Cultural Sector

Become a Mentor – Creative Catalyst Programme

Do you have experience leading creative, cultural, or heritage projects? Are you passionate about supporting others to grow, gain confidence, and reach their potential? We’re looking for mentors to join the Creative Catalyst Mentorship Programme — an initiative designed to nurture and inspire Buckinghamshire’s next generation of creative leaders.

Our mentors play a vital role in shaping the future of the sector, offering guidance, sharing experience, and helping mentees navigate challenges and opportunities. Whether you’re an established leader, freelancer, consultant, or creative professional, your insight can make a real difference.

Why Become a Mentor?

This is your opportunity to:

Make an Impact: Support emerging and existing creative leaders to grow in confidence, develop their skills, and deliver inclusive, community-led arts, culture, and heritage projects.

Share Your Experience: Use your professional knowledge to guide others through their challenges, offering practical advice, strategic insight, and encouragement.

Learn and Grow: Mentoring is a two-way process — mentors often find the experience helps them reflect on their own practice, refresh their thinking, and build new connections.

Strengthen the Sector: Join a network of cultural professionals committed to nurturing talent, developing leadership, and building a more inclusive and sustainable creative community across Bucks.

What’s Involved

As a mentor, you will:

Work one-to-one with an assigned mentee for a 6–12 month period, providing up to 12 mentoring sessions.
Offer strategic and practical guidance aligned with the mentee’s goals or project.
Support your mentee to develop an action plan and take meaningful steps in their leadership journey.
Attend an initial induction and optional networking sessions with the wider cohort.

Mentors will be carefully matched to mentees based on experience, area of expertise, and interests.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome mentors from all areas of the cultural and creative industries — including arts, heritage, community engagement, digital, education, and beyond. You might be:

A senior leader or manager in an arts, heritage, or cultural organisation.
A freelance creative or consultant with experience in leadership, strategy, or project delivery.
A professional from a related field who wants to contribute your knowledge to support creative growth in Bucks.

Support and Recognition

Thanks to support from the Rothschild Foundation and Heart of Bucks, we are able to offer honoraria to mentors, as well as access to optional training and networking opportunities as part of the programme.

MENTOR APPLICATION FORM

Become a Mentee – Creative Catalyst Programme

Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Whether you’re already leading projects, working independently, or simply curious about your leadership potential, our new Creative Catalyst Programme offers the space, tools, and connections to help you grow.

We’re on a mission to support, empower, and inspire creative leaders across Bucks. If you’re passionate about making a difference in your community and eager to pioneer change, this programme is designed for you. It’s a unique opportunity for emerging and existing leaders to develop their leadership abilities, explore challenges and barriers and build capacity for inclusive, community-led arts, culture, and heritage initiatives.

Why Apply?

This is your chance to:

Develop Your Leadership: Receive one-on-one mentorship tailored to your individual needs, whether you’re leading a project or just starting out.
Grow Your Network: Connect with mentees and mentors from both within Bucks and beyond, broadening your circle of influence and inspiration.
Impact Your Community: Build your ability to deliver arts, culture, and heritage projects that are relevant and inclusive, helping to shape the future of the sector in Bucks.
Build Your Confidence: Gain the support you need to take on new challenges, think outside the box, and lead with confidence.
Access Tailored Support: Mentoring will be aligned to a project or challenge you’re facing, ensuring practical, hands-on guidance every step of the way.

How It Works

Each Creative Catalyst will receive:

Tailored Mentorship: Identify your unique needs and connect with a mentor who can help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals.
Flexible Timeframe: Mentoring lasts between 6 to 12 months, offering the right balance of support to tackle your project or challenge.
Bespoke Guidance: Whether you’re an emerging leader, an established professional, or someone who’s still discovering their potential, this programme is designed to meet you where you are.

Made possible with support from Heart of Bucks and Rothschild Foundation, we are able to cover the costs of mentors, training and networking events for the cohort. A small travel bursary will be open to those who require support for networking events, but are not able to reimburse mentee time spent at mentoring sessions. We are happy to discuss potential sources of funding to support mentee engagement.

Who Can Apply?

This programme is for:

Emerging Leaders who are looking to develop their skills and take on more responsibility.
Existing Leaders who are seeking new perspectives, guidance, and support to enhance their impact.
Aspiring Leaders who may not yet see themselves as leaders but are eager to grow and contribute to the sector.

How to Apply or Refer

We believe in the power of connection and collaboration. If you’re interested in applying or referring someone, simply fill out our application form below. Whether you’re looking for mentorship or know someone who would benefit from this opportunity, we’re here to help you take the next step on your leadership journey.

Applications will be assessed by a panel against the following criteria:

1. Passion & Commitment

Demonstrates genuine enthusiasm for developing leadership skills.
Shows a clear commitment to making a positive difference in the creative, cultural, or heritage sector in Bucks.
Shows readiness to actively engage, contribute, and collaborate within the cohort.
Willingness to engage fully in the mentoring process and programme activities.

2. Leadership Potential

Evidence of existing leadership experience or strong motivation to explore and grow into leadership.
Openness to self-reflection, new ideas, and feedback.
Desire to inspire and empower others through their work.

3. Community Impact

Potential to deliver projects or initiatives that benefit local communities.
Focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity within creative practice.
Alignment with the aim of building capacity for community-led arts, culture, and heritage initiatives.

4. Clarity of Goals / Project or Challenge

Clearly identifies a project, challenge, or area of development that the mentoring can support.
Demonstrates how participation in the programme will help them overcome barriers or grow capacity.

Applications and Referrals are now open for the Creative Catalyst Programme. Apply by 24 November 2025 to take part in this 6–12 month opportunity supporting creative and cultural leaders across Buckinghamshire.

Mentee Application Form

referral form

If completing the application form presents any barriers, please contact us so that we can provide an alternative method of applying.

If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to get in touch with Kerry if you have any questions – Kerry@buckinghamshireculture.org

Creative Catalyst